The House of Hanover: King George I (Part 2)

Guest article written by: Alan Freer George I, King of Great Britain and Ireland, and Elector of Hanover, is portrayed as an insensitive, cold man with little learning and less sense. This is completely inaccurate. He may have been lazy, set in his ways and preoccupied with the affairs of Hanover, but he had a…

The House of Hanover: The Poor Relations (Part 1)

Guest article written by: Alan Freer Throughout the spring of 1714 the massive bulk of Queen Anne drifted towards her inevitable expiration. She was meeting her end at a time of dynastic crisis. The Act of Settlement, passed by Parliament in 1701, stipulated that the monarch had to be of the Protestant faith and that…

Five Eldest Children of King Charles I

This painting of the five eldest children of Charles I and his queen, Henrietta Maria is one of the most beautiful images I have ever laid eyes on. I’ve looked at it several times and never felt inspired enough to write anything about it. Today, I’ve decided that the sitters in the image deserve a…